Ilion to examine water system operations

Now that the village's water crisis has been over for a few months, the village of Ilion is planning to take a hard look at all phases of its water operation.

Eric Monnat

Now that the village's water crisis has been over for a few months, the village of Ilion is planning to take a hard look at all phases of its water operation.

This includes the surrounding municipalities the village provides water to. The Ilion water district includes users in Ilion, South Ilion, German Flatts and a significant number in the town of Frankfort according to Mayor Mark Cushman.

At the past Ilion Village Board of Trustees meeting, Cushman said the village has service contracts with the other towns in the district, which date back many years.

“It's further prudent that we review these contracts, now is the time to do that,” said Cushman.

In late September, the village board declared a water emergency due to low amounts of water in the village's three reservoirs.

The village's reservoirs are fed by a series of streams, which were dry due to the lack of rain this summer, which caused the reservoirs' water amounts to dwindle.

Cushman said he will encourage the village's Municipal Utilities Board to act on looking over the contracts for users outside the village.

He said this process will have no impact on water users in the village.

“This is long overdue,” added Cushman.

Also at the past board meeting, village Treasurer Connie Gagliardi recommended the village should freeze all spending for the near future because the village has spent two percent more than it projected to spend at this point in the year in regards to the 2007-08 fiscal year budget.

She added upcoming expenses the village will have to pay include repair and maintenance for village vehicles, fuel and heating costs and weather-related costs.

Cushman said although he is only one voice on the board, he won't raise taxes in the next budget.

“Enough is enough, we have to tighten our belt and change the way we do things,” said Cushman.